"Today I'm announcing the most important military aid package to accelerate Ukrainian success, which includes a company of Challenger 2 tanks with armored recovery and repair vehicles," Ben Wallace said on January 16 from the rostrum of Parliament. - Mr. Speaker, we will be the first country to provide (Ukraine - ed.) Western heavy battle tanks."
Training of the Ukrainian military on Challenger 2 tanks will begin immediately, Minister Wallace said. When asked by legislators how long Ukrainian soldiers will study before the Challenger 2 tanks enter the battlefield, Wallace did not specify the terms.
However, one of the deputies, referring to the spokesman of the British Armed Forces, reported that training on the Challenger 2 tank takes 33 days for a gunner, 46 days for a driver, and 85 days for crew commanders.
The Minister of Defense announced that training of Ukrainians will take place with the support of the United States on the territory of Great Britain and other European countries, including Germany.
According to the minister, it is expected that British Challenger 2 tanks and American Bradley vehicles will complement each other in battle, and, as Wallace hopes, Ukrainian training will take place simultaneously with the use of Bradleys and Challengers.
Commenting on Russian claims that British tanks will not change anything in the war in Ukraine, Wallace said: "They are right, they will not change anything. The Ukrainians will continue to win, and the Russians will continue to be defeated."
"I understand that 14 tanks will not change the course of the war," Wallace said, "but it is also about being a force multiplier. If we add 14 tanks to the 50 or so Bradleys, and division-level artillery, and hopefully Leopard tanks across Europe, if we can do that, I think we can increase the overall strength, which is important to to enable the war maneuvers necessary to push back Russia," Defense Minister Wallace shared his plans.
Call to Germany
Wallace called on Germany to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 heavy tanks.
He noted that Poland and Finland are ready to provide Ukraine with German-made Leopard 2 tanks from their arsenal, but are waiting for Germany's permission.
"It is hoped that the example of France and ours will allow those countries that have Leopard tanks to provide," according to discussions with the United States and our European allies.them as well. I know there are several countries that want to do this. No one will do it alone," said the British Defense Minister.
The tank "is not an offensive weapon if you use it to defend your country," the defense minister emphasized.
Great Britain will also provide the Armed Forces with spare parts for the restoration of about a hundred Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles, the Minister of Defense noted.
Wallace added that the package of British aid to Ukraine also included AS90 guns, hundreds of armored and protective vehicles, in particular, Bulldog transporters. sapper support package, dozens of "unmanned aerial systems" for artillery support, 100,000 artillery shells, hundreds of missiles, including guided missile salvo fire system (GMLRS), Starstreak air defense system, medium-range air defense missiles.
Ben Wallace: "Today's package is an important increase in Ukraine's capabilities. This means that they will be able to move from confrontation to the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian soil. President Putin cannot win. But he is confident that he will continue this senseless violence and human suffering until his troops are driven from their defensive positions and out of the country altogether. This requires a new level of combat power support, which can only be achieved by units of main battle tank companies operating together with artillery groups and long-range fire, to make it possible to defeat Russian logistical support and command, and long distances."
The British Ministry of Defense posted a video of the British Challenger 2 tank in action on Twitter. "As part of the package of significant combat power to accelerate Ukraine's success, Great Britain will send a company of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine," the message says.
Defense Minister Wallace emphasized the importance of cooperation between international partners in the framework of joint assistance to Ukraine.
"President Putin thought that the West would be fed up with this, that it would get tired and split. Ukraine continues to fight, and instead of division, Western countries are intensifying their efforts. The US has invested $24.5 billion since Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24. They have sent thousands of anti-aircraft and anti-tank systems, and recently stepped up their aid and agreed to send the Patriot system and 45 upgraded T72 tanks and provided 50 Bradley fighting vehicles to help in the counterattack. We also welcome the French government's decision to provide Ukraine with AMX10 light tanks," Wallace said during a speech in the country's parliament.
Wallace also said that this year, Britain and international partners intend to increase the training of the Ukrainian military by another 20,000 people. These efforts were also joined by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, New Zealand and the Netherlands, the head of the British Ministry of Defense noted.
Ben Wallace, British Defense Minister, stated, "We believe that in 2023, increased supplies, improved training, and strengthened diplomatic results will allow Ukraine to succeed against Russia's poorly led and poorly equipped armed forces."
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